Debate over an innocuous-sounding bill in the state legislature is pitting one up-Island school system against another.

State Attorney General Will Intervene to Appeal Tribal Sovereignty Case

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly quietly announced this week that he will intervene in the Aquinnah court appeal over sovereign immunity, adding clout to a case that will ultimately test the strength of a historic 1983 Indian land claims settlement agreement.

"We intend to enter into the appeal on behalf of the commonwealth," said Corey Welford, a spokesman for the state attorney general, on Tuesday.

Port, Airline Security Ramping Up Again

By ALEXIS TONTI

As the nation moves toward the new year under a heightened terror alert, Island security continues to tighten at the direction of the federal Department of Homeland Security, which is again pumping money into port and airline security on the Island.

The Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises have received $515,000 from the federal department to improve security measures at their Cape and Islands terminals.

For Boat Line, It Continues to Be 1997

By CHRIS BURRELL

Maybe the Vineyard has lost its appeal, or maybe it was the foul weather combined with a flagging economy, but whatever the underlying reasons, the latest traffic figures from the Steamship Authority again reflect a 13-month trend: fewer passengers and fewer cars coming to the Island.

Passenger traffic is down nearly five per cent this year compared with last year. Car traffic is down more than six per cent, according to year-to-date statistics just released, and current through Dec. 14.

Island's Clergy Eye Holiday Symbols

By C.K. WOLFSON

"Christmas, like sex, sells," says Rev. Judith Campbell, of the Unitarian Universalist Society.

"I think that any religious significance that might have been attached to the holiday is so completely downed by commercialism. People go broke putting lights up and vie with each other for who has the best display. If it were a toss up between having lights or having more social services, I would opt for more social services."

Just in time for the holidays, there is closure to the long-standing discussion over how to dispense a $16,500 gift to Martha's Vineyard Community Services workers.

The gift - from singer Carly Simon and author Norman Bridwell - funded a one-time bonus to nonmanagerial employees of the health service agency; the money was divided equally among more than 100 of them, amounting to something above $100 each.